So, you’re looking out the window or checking your phone and wondering: is it raining in New York City right now? Well, honestly, it’s a bit of a mess out there today, Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you’re standing in Midtown or waiting for a train in Brooklyn, you aren’t just seeing rain. You’re likely seeing that messy, slushy mix that New Yorkers love to complain about—and for good reason.
Right now, the city is stuck in the middle of a "First Alert Weather Day." As of late this afternoon, the thermometer is hovering right around 34°F. That’s the danger zone. It’s just warm enough for things to stay liquid-ish but cold enough that it feels like a slap in the face. Technically, the current condition is light rain, but with humidity at 85% and a north wind kicking around at 6 mph, it feels more like 28°F.
Basically, it’s raw. It’s the kind of weather where an umbrella helps, but your boots are going to get ruined anyway.
The "Is it raining?" vs. "Is it snowing?" dilemma
Earlier today, we had a legitimate heavy snow storm. If you were up at dawn, you saw the city getting blanketed. But as the afternoon progressed, the "freezing line" started dancing right over the Five Boroughs.
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When people ask is it raining in New York City right now, they’re often catching that transition. The chance of precipitation is sitting at a massive 89%. While it’s currently falling as light rain in many spots, the atmosphere is incredibly unstable.
What the experts are seeing
The New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) didn't just call this a "Winter Operations Advisory." They went full Snow Alert. That means they’ve got roughly 700 million pounds of salt ready to go. They know that even if it’s raining "right now," it could turn back into a heavy snow burst in an hour.
CBS News New York’s weather team has been tracking this coastal storm all day. Initially, the models thought the storm would stay south. They were wrong. The storm tracked north, bringing measurable snow to every single town in the NYC area before the current "warm" (if you can call 34 degrees warm) air turned the snow into this miserable rain-slush hybrid.
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Why this rain is actually dangerous
It sounds dramatic, but "light rain" at 34 degrees is often worse for the city than six inches of dry powder. Here is why:
- Ice bridges: The rain falls on top of the snow that fell this morning. This creates a layer of slush that hides ice underneath.
- The "Feels Like" factor: Because of the north wind, that 34-degree rain feels like 28°F on your skin.
- Visibility: It’s getting dark early (it's nighttime in the city now), and the light rain is creating a glare on the blacktop that makes driving through the boroughs a nightmare.
If you’re planning to take the FDR or the BQE, rethink it. NYC Emergency Management has already issued a travel advisory. They aren’t kidding. Between 2 p.m. and 9 p.m. today is the "prime time" for this storm. We’re currently right in the thick of it.
What happens after the rain?
If you think the rain is the end of it, I’ve got some bad news. The storm is expected to wind down between 9 p.m. and midnight. But as the precipitation ends, the temperature is going to tank.
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Tomorrow, Monday, January 19 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day), the high is only 32°F, and it’s going to drop to a low of 18°F at night. Everything that is currently "raining" or "slushing" right now is going to turn into a solid block of ice by tomorrow morning.
A quick note on Monday’s schedule:
- No trash collection: Since it’s MLK Day, there’s no garbage or recycling pickup.
- DSNY Alert: If you have Monday pickup, don't put your stuff out until Monday evening for Tuesday collection.
- The Cold Snap: By Tuesday, we’re looking at a high of 21°F. This rain we’re seeing right now is the last "warmth" we’re going to get for a while.
Actionable steps for New Yorkers right now
Stop wondering if it's raining and start prepping for the freeze. Honestly, just stay inside if you can.
- Check your pipes: This kind of rapid drop from rain to 18 degrees is what causes bursts.
- Salt your sidewalk now: Don't wait for the rain to stop. If you salt now, you might prevent the "death ice" layer from forming tonight.
- Download the apps: Use the Notify NYC app. It’s the only way to get real-time updates on bridge closures or subway delays which, let's face it, are inevitable tonight.
- Pet safety: If it’s raining and 34 degrees, your dog’s paws are going to freeze and get irritated by the salt already on the ground. Keep the walks short.
The bottom line? It’s raining/misting/slushing right now, but the real story is the "flash freeze" coming tonight. Stay dry, stay warm, and maybe order in—but tip your delivery driver extra. They’re dealing with the worst of this New York weather.